Verstappen’s recent performance has been lacking his usual dominance, struggling to achieve speed right from the start. Red Bull made changes on the second day, but it was only enough for him to barely win at Imola. However, in Miami, he was defeated by Lando Norris. Nevertheless, the triple Formula 1 Champion is optimistic about the upcoming race in Monaco, despite Red Bull’s historical struggles on the track during the “ground effect” era of F1 rules.
Looking back at Imola, Verstappen expressed his satisfaction with the close race and his victory. He now looks forward to the second race of the double header. Recognizing the challenges of a close street circuit, he emphasized the importance of a strong qualifying session, as overtaking is particularly difficult. The race in Monaco often relies on strategy and demands intense concentration and focus.
Verstappen hopes that the team’s analysis and preparations will lead to improved performance in Monaco. He is eager to see what the weekend brings and appreciates the busy and hectic atmosphere of the race. Being close to home, he finds it comforting to be able to travel home in the evening.
Perez had a challenging experience in Imola, failing to reach Q3 in qualifying and struggling during the race. However, he has a track record of success on street circuits and has previously won in Monaco. He acknowledges that Monaco is a standout race in the calendar and holds special significance for him.
While the event itself is grand, Perez and the team remain focused on extracting the maximum performance from the car. The pressure to deliver intensifies on Saturday in Monaco, as overtaking becomes nearly impossible on Sunday. Perez is determined to improve following a difficult weekend in Italy. He emphasizes that success is a collective effort involving not just himself, but also the engineers and car crew.
Perez and the team have been working hard to understand their challenges in Imola. They recognize that it takes the entire factory to optimize the performance of the fast car and secure a podium finish. Perez aims to regain momentum and believes that with the right approach, they can deliver a strong performance in Monaco.
2021 🏆➡️ 2022 🏆➡️ 2023 🏆
Three #MonacoGP wins in a row 🤩
What’s your favorite Monaco memory? 🤔#F1 || #MonacoGP pic.twitter.com/Kfgmk89meQ
— Oracle Red Bull Racing (@redbullracing) May 22, 2024